WORLD Football great Johan Cruyff has paid tribute to Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt.

WORLD Football great Johan Cruyff has paid tribute to Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt.

Declaring himself a huge fan of the Anfield player, former Dutch captain and Barcelona manager Cruyff has heaped praise on the 29-year-old after he helped Holland to the World Cup final.

The Godfather of Dutch football took time out to lavish praise upon the 29-year-old who played an integral part in the quarter-final success over Brazil last week – negating the threat of the marauding Maicon, before setting up the game’s winning goal for Wesley Sneijder – and then in Tuesday night’s semi-final triumph over Uruguay.

And considering the pioneer of ‘Total Football’ is today known almost as much for his cutting opinions as for his mesmeric displays of the 70s, that is something to be proud of.

“Look at what he did so far,” said Cruyff of the Anfield star.

“He started the tournament on the right, then as a forward, and then against Brazil on the left.

“Not only did he keep Maicon out of the game, he also went and set up the winner. Someone like that is worth his weight in gold.”

Aesthetically at least, Kuyt and Cruyff could not be further apart yet there is also a growing feeling that players like the Liverpool man are emblematic of the new Dutch football spirit.

He may not possess the freewheeling appeal of Cruyff, the ruthless potency of Marco Van Basten, nor the effortless grace of Dennis Bergkamp, but he is now ready to tread where none of those icons could. ‘Total Football’ charmed the world in 1974, but ultimately failed.

As Holland’s players danced around the Green Point stadium on Tuesday night, their jubilation matched only by the country’s Royal family in the stands, few smiles shone brighter than that of Kuyt.

The celebrations which marked the Dutch’s first World Cup final appearance since 1978 went on long into the night.

Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Rotterdam found themselves at a virtual standstill; Cape Town was painted orange for the evening.

And in among it all stood Kop favourite Kuyt.

It was his floated 73rd minute cross which allowed Arjen Robben to head home the goal that finally killed off Uruguay, and his tireless running and intelligent use of the ball ensured Bert Van Marwijk’s side remained on the front foot throughout a frenetic second half.

He even popped up with a dramatic last-ditch tackle in his own penalty area, as Óscar Tabárez’s men surged forward in pursuit of a dramatic late equaliser.

It was typical Kuyt, and even more impressive given that many experts had criticised the Liverpool man’s selection, amid concerns over his ‘graft over craft’ style.

“In the Netherlands there were quite a few debates about which players I should play,” said Van Marwijk. “Dirk Kuyt, par excellence, is a team player.

“He is the example of a true and genuine team player. He’s so focused, he’s working so hard for the team and gives such a positive signal to the rest of the players. I’m so pleased with him.”

Since his move to Anfield in 2006, almost all talk of Kuyt has been punctuated with tributes to his spirit, his dedication, his attitude.

It is now impossible to speak of the 29-year-old without adding a caveat about his incredible work-ethic.

Kuyt himself is typically humble when asked about the role he plays within the Dutch dynamic.

“There are players who can change the course of a match with a single touch and others who are there to serve the team,” says Kuyt.

“I have no problem admitting I’m in the second category. I try to do what I can to win each match. I’m a battler.

“Every match is equally important to me, and if you win all the time, the titles will eventually come. That’s how I see things, anyway.”

And if in Johannesburg on Sunday the current crop can do what the greats of the past failed to, and lift the World Cup, then Dirk Kuyt’s name may too be mentioned among Holland’s legends.